Distillation column construction



June 16, 1.942. H. cLOYD DISTILLATICN COLUMN CONSTRUCTION Filed CQC. 416. 1959 me/wm Haroldy Cloyd Zh? C Patented June 16, 1942 2,286,786 DISTILLATION COLUMN CONSTRUCTION Harold Cloyd, Erie, Pa., assgnor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 16, 1939, SerialNo. 309,640

4 claims. v(ci. 261-1'14) This invention relates to the construction of distillation columns and more particularly to a combination bubbling cap, chimney and plat support construction which may be employed in distillation columns handling organic acids or other corrosive liquids.

In the industry there are a number of reactive liquids which must be distilled or rectified. Ap-

paratus foi' carrying out suchprocessing in manyinstances includes bubble cap structures which are immersed in the liquid for causing the vapors of the liquid undergoing treatment to pass in contact with the liquid. In certain of these constructions the bubble caps are either welded or bolted onto the gas riser. In large installations the weight of the liquid adjacent the aforementioned bubble caps is substantial and unless particularlyheavy metal plates are employed, buckling, bending or otherdiiiculties may occur. It has also been necessary in many instances to extend the plates through the side of the column, bolting them to flanges around the periphery of the column.

In handling active liquids such as hot aliphatic acids and other chemicals in such apparatus there is a tendency for certain of the parts of the apparatus to become'attacked. For example, corrosion may occur in the discontinuous sides of the column as at the flange joints. Or, threaded parts as for example bolts holding the bubble caps in place may become corroded.

I have found novel construction of parts which not only satisfactorily perform the function of bringing the vapors passing through a column into intimate contact with the liquid support on the plates, but my novel construction, be-

' causeof its simple and economical make-up,

minimizes corrosion and otherwise possesses advantages. v

For a more complete understanding of my invention, reference is made to the attached drawing forming a part of the present application.'

Fig. 1 is a side view showing in cross-section and on large scale, a certain element of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing another view of one of the elements of my invention. Y

Fig. 3 is a top view of a distillation column plate showing how my novel elements may be incorporated therein.

Fig, 4 is a semi-diagrammatic side elevation view partly broken away, showing the various parts of my invention assembled into a complete unit.

Referring to Fig. 1,2 and 3 are distillation column plates. Thes'e plates may be comprised of sheet copper, stainless steel or other suitable material provided with a plurality of apertures 4, 6 therethrough. The apertures are so positioned that the tube member "I,4 positioned between' plates 2 and 3, at least partially embraces both of the apertures.

This tube member is' provided with a partition member 3 preferably casting integral therewith so that the member has the upper cup 9 and the lower cup II.

A plurality of passageways I2 are provided for allowing the gases or vapors being processed within the column to ascend to the next column section. These passageways may be positioned in close proximity to partition 8. While the' passageways have been disclosed as uniformly posi. tioned both in a vertical and horizontal plane, the passageways may be staggered or otherwise positioned in the tube. t

Other passageways are provided in the tube as at I3. In this instance the passageways are located at a substantial distance from the partition, the exact distance being governed by the quantity of liquid I4 which it is desired to carry on plate 3. Preferably, these passageways I3 would be positioned in the tube 1 so as to be substantially submerged in any liquid carried on the plate.

Additional tube members as for example I6 and II may be positioned above and below the tube member 'I. These members may be substantially of the same construction already set forth.

Referring to tube member I6, which is the same as tube member 1, there is housed Within the tube vmember another tube member I8. This'tube or thimble is preferably'positioned concentrically with respect to tube I6 so that an annular passageway I9 exists between the two members. This member I8 preferably extends through the distillation column plates and is supported on the plate by means of an annular shoulder as atv 20.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the partition 8 extends across the entire tube 'I and effectively .divides the tube into the two compartments 9 and II already referred to. While four passageways have been indicated, a larger or smaller number may be provided, if desired. Although an annular tube has been shown', it is to be understood that a hexagonal, rectangular or other shape may be employed. f

Referring to Fig. 3, I have there plurality of my novel bubble cap units arranged on a plate. Inasmuch as a substantial part of .the plate load is carried by mynovel bubble capshown a y ping assembly, it is apparent that the plates may be constructed of lighter gauge metal without danger of weakening the apparatus.

In Fig. 4, I have shown the assembly of several plates 2|, 22 and 2l in a standard flange type distillation column. This column may be of the general construction, for example, shown in Othmer Patent 2,028,800 or Gordon 2,049,441,

- a suitable vapor oiltake being provided at 2l and a reflux conduit at 26.

The columns employed in my construction may be of substantial diameter as 8 ft., 10 ft. or larger. While a flange construction has been shown at 21, because heretofore in large columns such construction has been usually employed, such construction is not necessarily required when my bubble cap units are used. That is, the aforementioned flange type construction has been employed for imparting added rigidity and strength to the plates.` However, in my apparatus the plates may, if desired, merely be abutted against the smooth walls of the column because as previously described, the plate load is effectively carried by my novel bubble cap unit.

The columns, plates and bubble caps may be made of copper, stainless steel, ceramics or other acid-resistant materials. It is apparent from the simplicity of construction of my novel bubble cap unit that it lends itself to ready fabrication and possesses few protruding or threaded parts which are susceptible to attack by corrosive liquids to be processed in" the column.

My novel bubble cap units may be readily assembled in a column inasmuch as, as can be seen, the weight of the plates and superim- What I claim is:

l: An apparatus for distillation in which the weight of the contents undergoing treatment therein will be borne by parts in addition to the plates therein, comprising a vertically extending column having substantially continuous sidewalls, a plurality of spaced plates having gas,.

riser apertures therein, abutting the sidewalls, a plurality of tubular members between the plates and in contact therewith to support the plates, partition means in each tubular member, said tubular members being characterized in that the portion thereof above the partition is integrally attached to and carried by the partition, apertures above the partition means,`aper tures below the partition means, another tubular member which extends to a point above the sec.

posed bubble caps hold the various parts iny is apparent from the preceding description and drawing. The gas or vapors of the materials within the column being rectified or processed pass up through the chimneys (as shown by the arrows) and are deflected by the solid partition I into the liquid carried on the plate. Since the lower passageways are submerged in the liquid undergoing distillation or rectification, the gases in flowing through the passageways become intimately contacted with the liquid and then escape (as also indicated by the arrows) into the passageways above the partition and through the chimney to another plate in the column.

. -It is apparent from the foregoing that my apparatus is susceptible of some modification; hence, I dol not wish to berestricted excepting insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and the spirit of the appended claims.

ond mentioned apertures, housed by. the firstmentioned tubular members.

2. In a distillation column having platesl and wherein plate buckling and bending is' mlnimized, means positioned between 's aid plates comprising tubular members, partition means intermediate thereof, said tubular members being characterized in that the portion thereof above the partition is integrally attached to and carried by the partition, and a detachably mounted annular member housed by the lower portion of said tubular member.

3. In a distillation column, a 4bubble cap unit comprising an elongated tubular member fabricated from copper-containing material, partition means intermediate thereof, said tubular member being characterized in that the portion thereof above the partition is integrally attached to and carried by the partition,A a plurality of passageways above the partition means, a plurality of passageways a substantial distance below the partition means and an inner detachably mounted annular member also of coppercontaining material extending above the second mentioned apertures and housed by the lower portion of said tubular member.

4. A bubble cap unit comprising an elon-4 gated tubular member fabricated from ceramic material, partition means intermediate thereof,` 

